MA Film award launches first showcase night

By Suzanne Jordan

Sixteen filmmakers got the chance to screen their work at Stoke Film Theatre, in the first showcase of work from the MA Film awards at Staffordshire University (16th November 2011). Fellow students and members of the public were treated to an array of diverse short films and trailers, including gritty social drama, light hearted comedy, surreal drama and experimental work.

Andrew Carson, a student on the MA Film Production, Practice and Theory, described his style as "really urban" His film, Dance with the Devil was a take on the fairytale, Rumplestiltskin. It was part of a series of three films, the others being a take on Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding hood. Andrew said: “I took inspiration from a friend of mine. She told me the story of customers that she had in the past that she was scared of. That’s where it really tapped into this... just real fear of real life – the story really spoke to me.”

Nici Preston, who finished a part time MA Film Production and Visual Cultures in October, has made five films over the duration of the course. “It was really nerve-wracking, showing my film on the big screen, and exciting at the same time. Obviously you are wondering what everyone else is thinking. Speaking about her film In-between Time, Nici said: " I wanted to play around with the private space of someone being on their own, and having that time on their own to think things through, get stressed out and almost go a little bit crazy...It has a bit of a French feel to it for some reason. I am inspired by different world cinema.”

Both Students were keen to praise both of the MA Programmes.

Nici said: “Being thrown out of my comfort zone and thinking ‘gosh, in at the deep end’ as you are on a Masters...loved it, absolutely loved it” Andrew said: “This course has expanded my mind and I think that comes down to the staff because they are always on hand and you are always learning more things through them. You can really find your own niche and your own style with them showing you the way.”